Tremors (franchise)

The Tremors franchise is a monster movie series centering on the vicious attacks of subterranean worm-like creatures known as graboids. It began in 1990 with the successful release of Tremors, which spawned four direct-to-video films; three sequels, Tremors 2: Aftershocks, Tremors 3: Back to Perfection, Tremors 5: Bloodlines and a prequel, Tremors 4: The Legend Begins.

In addition to the film series, Tremors: The Series, a television series that premiered on the SciFi Channel, was produced, only to be cancelled after 13 episodes.

Films

Tremors (1990)

Tremors is a 1990 American monster film directed by Ron Underwood, written by Brent Maddock, S. S. Wilson and Underwood, and starring Kevin Bacon, Fred Ward, Finn Carter, Michael Gross and Reba McEntire. It was distributed by Universal Studios.^[1]

Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996)

Tremors 2: Aftershocks is a 1996 action-horror-sequel to Tremors, in which the character of Earl Bassett, returning from the first movie, is hired to deal with a subterranean "Graboid" infestation at a Mexican oilfield. It was directed by S. S. Wilson, and stars Fred Ward, Christopher Gartin, Michael Gross and Helen Shaver. It introduced a new creature called the Shriekers.

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection (2001)

Tremors 3: Back to Perfection is a 2001 comedic monster film, the third in the "Tremors" series featuring the subterranean worm-creatures dubbed "Graboids". It was directed by Brent Maddock and stars Michael Gross. Like the second movie, the film was not released in theaters. It introduced a new creature called the Ass-Blasters.

Tremors 4: The Legend Begins (2004)

Tremors 4: The Legend Begins is a 2004 straight to video movie. It is the fourth film in the "Tremors" series of monster films. It is a prequel to the earlier movies and featured Michael Gross as the ancestor to his original character in the first Tremors film.

Tremors 5: Bloodlines (2015)

Tremors 5: Bloodlines was produced in South Africa, featuring a returning Michael Gross and new co-star Jamie Kennedy. It also stars Natalie Becker. The film was released on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital HD on October 6, 2015.^[2] Though it is based on a script written by Brent Maddock and S. S. Wilson in 2004, the original creators declined to be involved due to a lack of creative control over the project. It received mixed reviews both from professional critics and fans of the film series.

Tremors 6 (TBD)

On September 20, 2016, Michael Gross announced on his official Facebook page that a sixth film was in the works. Tremors 5 co-star Jamie Kennedy is expected to return along with director Don Michael Paul.^[3]

Television

Tremors: The Series (2003)

"Tremors: The Series" is a television spin-off of the "Tremors" film franchise which originally ran on the Sci-Fi Channel. Only 1 season and 13 episodes were aired (out of order) before being cancelled.

Tremors: The Lost Monsters (concept)

During the production of Tremors 2: Aftershocks, "Tremors" was being developed as a TV series by Universal and Stampede Entertainment. According to Stampede Entertainment "The series premise was that, after their success in fighting the Graboids, Val and Earl would be sought out by the readers of tabloid newspapers, believers in UFO’s, etc. to battle other little-known creatures." ^[4] However, it was never produced.

Tremors: Untitled TV series

On November 28, 2015, it was reported that Universal Television and Blumhouse Productions are developing a new Tremors TV series and that Kevin Bacon would reprise his role of Valentine McKee for the first time in the series since the first movie.^[5] In September 2016 it was announced the series was moving forward at Amazon.^[6]

Games

Dirt Dragons (2004)

Dirt Dragons is a flash computer game based on the 2004 film Tremors 4: The Legend Begins.

Tremors: The Game (cancelled)

The Tremors video game was based on the Tremors film franchise. The game was announced in August 2002 by Rock Solid Studios AB. However, the game was cancelled before production was finished.

Cast

Reception

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA Awards

Young Artist Awards

DVD Exclusive Awards

Motion Picture Sound Editors, USA Awards

Tremors exhibit at Lone Pine

While only the first film was filmed in Lone Pine, California, there is an exhibit dedicated to Tremors in the Lone Pine Film History Museum. The exhibit contains film props such as the graboid head use to burst through the ground, a miniature of Chang's Market used in Tremors 4: The Legend Begins, and a mount of a shrieker used in Tremors II: Aftershocks.^[8]

References